Troublemaker, by Leah Remini With Rebecca Paley

The first time I remember seeing Leah Remini was on a television show with Tony Danza. She made me smile and her beauty was just authentic. I didn’t know who she was until The King of Queens. I wasn’t able to see many of the episodes originally because it came on when my husband wanted to watch a different show, but am catching up on them in syndication.

Leah Remini’s laughter and her character, Carrie, understood what life was and handled/handles, all of life’s ups and downs with strength, humor, and tough grace. Her relationship with her character-husband echoes instances of marriage in general. I honestly didn’t know she was a member of The Church of Scientology until there was news of her leaving said church.

Likewise, I didn’t know she had penned a book (with Rebecca Paley) until roaming Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites for something to read. The moment I saw her face on the book and read the quick blurb I shelled out $13 for an e-book!

Now, normally, I am a “sale” type of gal. I am also a “library” type of gal. Seeing the book and buying it immediately is one of the best reading choices I’ve made in a while. This book kept me enthralled every moment during reading.

You can hear Leah Remini’s voice throughout and her honesty about her and her family’s experience with Scientology. One thing did catch me by surprise, however: the betrayal of Scientology to her. Ms. Remini followed Scientology as a genuine believer. She wanted to move up in the belief’s ladder, but the further she went up the more she became disillusioned and even deceived!

Unlike me, Leah Remini hadn’t ever gone on-line to research her belief because, according to Scientology’s teachings, the organization had the answers and you shouldn’t, if you were a devout Scientologist, go onto the Internet for anything, especially if you had questions concerning the belief structure itself. It is plain, while reading, Leah Remini was dumb-founded to find people who left the church and why. There are allegations by more than one person of physical abuse in the upper reaches of Scientology. This one threw me, too!

And just what about Tom Cruise? What role does he have in Scientology? It didn’t surprise me, but I did gasp a couple of times. I suggest you read the book for yourself on this point alone.

Unlike a lot of co-authors, especially of celebrities – which I normally don’t read -, Rebecca Paley let Leah Remini’s voice shine through. She did her job in spades, aces even! Troublemaker is well-written, funny, sad, determined, and sheds light onto a part of Hollywood – Scientology – people aren’t supposed to see or know about. This book gave me a reading list I plan on following up on about other members who’ve left Scientology and why.

Leah Remini is a determined woman. A loving woman. Her personality in general doesn’t fit with Scientology and I hope she finds a place to rest her Soul, mind, and body.

This book gets a 10 out of 5 stars to the good!